Movable assemblies for typewriters



March 3, 197.0 BLAHA 3,498,440

MOVABLE ASSEMBLIES FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Feb. 19. 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiiros/av 5142/4 INVENTOR.

b m a m his Afforney March 3, 1970 A H 3,498,440

MOVABLE ASSEMBLIES FOR TYPEWRITERS Filedfeb. 19, 1968 s Shets-Sheet 2 Him/av BLA HA INVENTOR.

1 113 Afforney Margh 3, 1970 M. BLAHA 3,498,440

MOVABLE ASSEMBLIES FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Feb. 19. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Iiib Miros/av BMW/4 INVENTOR. A M 0. m

bis AHomey United States Patent MOVABLE ASSEMBLIES FOR TYPEWRITERS Miroslav Blaha, Brno, Czechoslovakia, assignor to Zavody Jana Svermy, narodni Podnik, Brno, Czechoslovakia,

a corporation Filed Feb. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 706,477 Claims priority, application Czechoslovakia, Mar. 15, 1967, 1,867/67 Int. Cl. B41j 7/32 U.S. Cl. 197-74 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A movable assembly for typewriter or the like. The assembly includes an elongated body such as a body which was constructed to support type-carrying levers,

and at opposed endss of this body there are guide as semblies which guide the body for movement. The machine includes a frame and at each end of the body a pair of guide members including a stationary guide member fixed to the frame and a movable guide member movable with respect to the stationary guide member. The pair of guide members at each end of the body includes an elongated rod and a sleeve into which the rod extends, with antifriction elements situated between the sleeve and rod to have rolling contact with the sleeve and rod during movement of the movable guide member with respect to the stationary guide member at each end of the body. A fixing means is provided for adjustably fixing the body to the movable guide members at each end of the body, so that by way of this connection with the movable guide members the body can be shifted along the stationary guide members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to machines such as typewriters and the like where it is required to provide movable assemblies which must be very accurately moved between different positions. Thus, for example, the invention relates to that movable body of a typewriter which supports the type-carrying levers.

As is well known with structures of this type, it is necessary to carry out a straight-line movement from one end position to another end position. Thus, a body of the above type which supports the type-carrying levers must be shifted along a straight line from one position where the machine will type small lowercase letters, to another position where the machine will type capital or uppercase letters. This movement of such a body between its positions must take place in an exceedingly smooth resistance-free manner so as to provide the fastest possible typing speed in the most accurate manner with respect to the matching of the letters in both positions of the body.

Many different types of structures are known to support and guide a body of this type for movement between its positions. The most widely used construction requires the use of levers which are pivotally interconnected, but this construction has the disadvantage of providing a rapid wear which disturbs the required precise alignment of the typed characters on a sheet of paper, as well as resulting in an undesirable increase in the noise level of the machine during shifting between the typing of uppercase and lowercase letters.

It is also known to provide guide structures, including elongated guide grooves of non-circular section carrying antifriction elements, such as suitable ball members and guiding body which supports the type-carrying levers. A construction of this latter type requires a very high degree of accuracy of the guiding grooves in the 3,498,440 Patented Mar. 3, 1970 ice manufacture of the structure and also the antifriction ball elements must be of a very accurate construction. In-addition, during assembling of the parts, a great deal of time and labor is required for adjustments which will provide the smoothest possible movement with the least possible resistance while retaining the required parallel movements of the parts of the body, which extend into the guiding grooves with the required clearance for providing proper coaction with the antifriction ball members. These adjustments, in order to produce the best possible operation and accuracy, are exceedingly delicate and can be carried out only with great labor costs. The adjustments of this latter type are carried out by suitable adjusting screws, and the entire assembly is extremely complex and has a high rate of failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide a construction which will avoid the above drawbacks.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a construction which will very accurately guide a body for straight-line movement, particularly a body such as that which supports the type-carrying levers of a typewriter, while at the same time eliminating all of the complexities and other involvements of the known constructions.

At the same time, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction which will be very easily adjustable and once adjusted, will have the capability of operating over long periods of time in a perfect manner without causing any undesirable failure or rapid wear of the components.

In accordance with the invention the elongated body, which may be a typewriter body which supports typecarrying levers, has a pair of opposed ends at each of which there are a pair of guide members, including a stationary guide member and a movable guide mem ber which is movable with respect to the stationary guide member. The frame of the machine fixedly carries the stationary guide members at each end of the body, and between each pair of guide members there are antifriction elements in the form of ball members which have rolling contact with the stationary and movable guide members at each end of the body. The pair of guide members at each end of the body include an elongated rod and an elongated sleeve coaxial with and receiving the rod, so that complications such as pivotally interconnected levers, non-circular guiding grooves, and the like, are completely eliminated. A fixing meansis provided for fixing each end of the body to the movable guide member at each end of the body in an adjustable manner so that the position of the body, with respect to the pair of movable guide members, can be adjusted to properly situate the body in a pair of end positions to which the body can be displaced by movement of the pair of movable guide members, with respect to-the stationary guide members, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partly sectional top plan view of one embodiment of a structure, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the structure shown at the left end of FIG. 1, taken at an enlarged scale, as compared to FIG. 1, and showing, in addition, linkages for displacing the body;

FIG. 3 is a partly sectional, fragmentary elevation of the fixing means for connecting the body to a movable guide member; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partly sectional illustration of another embodiment of the components shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that there is schematically illustrated therein an elongated body 1 which is designed to pivotally support the type-carrying levers 35, one of which is indicated in FIG. 2. At the region of each of the opposed ends of the elongated body 1, there are av pair of guide members 2 and 3, one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide member 2 is static-nary and the guide member 3 is movable. Each guide member 2 takes the form of an elongated rod of cylindrical cross section, while each movable guide member 3 takes the form of an elongated sleeve through which the rod 2 coaxially extend. The machine is provided with a stationary frame 5, and the rods 2 are respectively provided with lower reduced elongated end portions 4, which extend into openings of the frame 5 for fixedly mounting the stationary guide members 2 on the frame 5. Each sleeve 3 is formed in the region of its ends, with recesses 6 respectively receiving rings 7, which are not kinetically coupled to each other and which support antifriction elements 8 for free rolling movement, these elements 8 being held within the recesses 6 by rings 9 which are fixed to the sleeve 3. The diameters of the antifriction ball members 8 correspond to the clearacne between the rod 2 and the sleeve 3 so that during movement of the latter along the rod 2, there is rolling contact between the antifriction elements 8 on the one hand, with the rod 2 on the other hand, with the sleeve 3.

A fixing means is provided for fixing each end of the body 1 to the movable guide member 3 in an adjustable manner for movement with the guide member 3, and the details of this fixing means are shown most clearly in FIG. 3. Thus, as may be seen from FIG. 3, at each end of the body 1, a fixing screw 10 extends through an opening of the body 1 and is threaded into the sleeve 3 so that in this way the opposed ends of the body 1 are respectively fixed to the movable guide members 3. Moreover, above and below each fixing screw 10' the fixing means includes a pair of adjusting screws being threaded through the body 1 and having free ends pressing against the sleeve 3, suitable lock nuts being provided on the adjusting screws 11 for fixing them to the body 1 in their adjusted positions. Thus, while each fixing screw 10 is connected with the sleeve 3 the adjusting screws 11 are turned to provide the required alignment of the body 1 and sleeve 3 with respect to each other, and when this required alignment is achieved by way of the adjusting screws 11, the latter are locked in their adjusted positions by the lock nuts carried thereby. In addition, it will be noted that the body 1 is provided around each fixing screw 10, with a counter-sunk recess 12 receiving a compression spring 13 which surrounds screw 10, which extends at one end into the recess 12 and bears against the body 1, and which, at its other end, presses against a washer 14 which also surrounds the screw 10.

At each of its ends, the body 1 fixedly carries at an upper edge a body stop member 15 which is formed distant from the body 1, with an opening passing therethrough, and a bolt 16 passes freely through this opening of each body stop member 15. The bolt 16 carries a pair of adjustable end stop members 17 and 18, between which each body stop member 15 is located, so that by enga ing the end stop members 17 and 18, the stroke and end positions of the body 1 are determined. The lower end stop member 17 is fixed directly to the bolt 16 in engagement with the head 19 thereof. The upper end stop member 18 is threaded onto the bolt 16, so as to be axially displaceable therealong when turned with respect thereto, and a lock nut 31 is provided for releasably retaining i the upper end stop member 18 in its adjusted position on the bolt 16.

Each bolt 16 is, in turn, threaded through a bar 20 to which it is fixed in an adjustable position by a lock nut 21. Thus, the lock nut 21 may be loosened for fixing the axial position of the entire bolt 16 and the lower end stop member 17 therewith, and then the upper end stop 18 may have its position adjusted with respect to the bolt 16 in the above-described manner.

Each bar 20 is fixed by a screw 22 to the top end of the stationary guide member 2. At its end, distant from the bolt 16, each bar 20 carries a bolt 23, which has a nut 24, threaded thereon. This nut 24 is fixedly connected to the top end of a coil spring 25, which is stretched between the nut 24 and a pin 26, which is fixed to the body 1. Thus, the springs 25 at the end regions of the body 1 will urge the latter to the upper rest position shown in the drawings, where the body stop members 15 respectively engage the upper end stop members 18. If desired, the lower ends of the springs 25 may be attached to the elongated cusion-type of stop member against which the unillustrated type levers rest, this elongated cushion-type of stop member being secured to .and forming a unit with the body 1.

It is to be noted that the above-described structure can bereversed so that it is the guide rods 2 which form the movable guide members, with the sleeves 3 form the stationary guide members, and in this case the sleeves 3 are fixed to the frame 5 and carry the bars 20, while the body 1 is fixed to the bars 2 for movement therewith. Thus, in this case, the .rods 2 will shift in the stationary sleeves 3 with rolling contact still being achieved by way of the antifriction elements 8.

A construction of this latter type is illustrated in FIG. 4, where the elongated sleeve 3 is shown as being formed with an axially extending slot 27 which extends through an angle of less than The guide sleeve 3, shown in FIG. 4 located at each end region of the body 1, is not closed and is provided with the recesses 6 for the antifriction elements 8. Thus, the rods 2 of this embodiment will be axially movable within the stationary sleeves 3, having rolling contact with the elements 8, which in turn have rolling contact with the sleeves 3. In this case, of course, it is the rods 2 which are fixed by the fixing screws 10 to the body 1, and the adjusting screws 11 will press at their ends against the rods 2. The adjustable fixing means of this embodiment also includes the springs 13 and washers 14 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As is schematically indicated in FIG. 2, movement of the body 1 is brought about by way of a shift key lever 28, supported for pivotal movement by a pin 32, carried by the frame 5. A train of levers and links 291, 292, 293, 294 interconnects the shift key lever 28 with the body 1, the latter having at its opposed ends pivot pins 30, which are fixed to the body 1, and which are pivotally connected with the upper links 294. The return of the shift lever 28 is brought about by way .of springs 33 respectively connected on the one hand with the 'siiift keys 28, and on the other hand with the levers 292. An adjustable stop 34 coacts with the linkage assembly 291, 294 in order to adjust the stroke of the key bar of the shift mechanism' 28 and the lever mechanism 291-294.

In order to achieve a smooth continuous movement of the body 1, the position of the latter with respect to the movable guide members 2 is adjusted during assembly of the parts or during repair thereof. Such adjustment is also required, since it is not possible to achieve axial alignment of the guide rods 2, which are fixed a to the frame 5. In the event that the sleeves 3 are simply slipped over the guide rods 2, seizing would occur during movement of the body 1 and shifting could be carried out only with difiiculty.

In order to adjust the structure, the body 1 with the sleeves 3 loosely connected thereto by the fixing screws 10 is mounted on the stationary guide members 2 by displacing the sleeves 3 onto and along the rods 2. The fixing screws are then tightened while the adjusting screws 11 remain released. Now the body 1 is gripped by the hand of the operator and adjusted at the springs 13 by up-and-down movement of the body 1 together with the sleeves 3 along the rods 2. This latter procedure can also be carried out in those cases where the axial alignment of the rods 2 has been disturbed. As soon as, during this up-and-down movement, the sleeves 3 slide smoothly along the rods 2, the adjusting screws 11 are tightened so as to maintain the structure in its properly adjusted position. After this later assembly has been carried out, the bolts 16 with the end stop member 17 thereon are placed through the body stop members 15, the end stop members 18 are placed on the bolts 16, which are then threaded through the bars 20, which are fixed at 22 to the upper ends of the rods 2, and now the screws 23 with the nuts 24 and springs 25 are assembled.

When the body 1 is to be shifted, the operator will actuate the lever 28 with the result that the body 1, together with the movable guide members 3 will be shifted downwardly in the direction of the arrow P, indicated in FIG. 2. This latter arrow is also indicated in FIG. 1. The body 1, together with the sleeves 3, will move downwardly until the body stop members 15 respectively engage the lower end stop members 17. The structure will remain in this position until the shift key 28 is again pressed down so as to release the known lock structure, enabling the springs 25 to return the body 1, together with the sleeves 3 to their initial rest positions where the body stop members 15 engage the upper end stop members 18, respectively.

Thus, the stroke of the key 28 and the body 1, together with sleeves 3 is limited by the end stop members 17 and 18, and this stroke can, of course, be adjusted by adjusting the end stop members 17 and 18 in the manner referred to above. It is also possible to adjust the force of the springs 25 by turning the nuts 24 along the screws 23.

The number of pairs of guide members 2 and 3, which are used with any given construction, will be determined by the particular components which are to be guided and by the character of the movement which is desired, together with the strength and guiding accuracy involved.

What is claimed is:

1. In a typewriter or the like, an elongated body having a pair of opposed ends and adapted to support elements such as type-carrying levers, a frame, a pair of guide members situatedin the region of each end of said body and including at each end of said body a stationary guide member fixed to said frame and a movable guide member movable with respect to said stationary guide member, one of said guide members being an elongated rod and the other of said guide members being a sleeve which receives said rod in its interior, antifriction elements situated between said sleeve and rod for providing rolling contact at said antifriction elements with said pair of guide members during movement of said movable guide member with respect to said stationary guide member, and fixing means operatively connected with said body and said movable guide member at each end of said body for adjustably fixing said body to said movable guide member.

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said rods are said stationary guide members and are fixed to said frame while said sleeves are said movable guide members and are axially movable along said rods, together with said body which is fixed to said sleeves by said fixing means.

3. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said sleeves are said stationary guide members and said rods are axially movable with respect to said sleeves and are fixed with said body by way of said fixing means.

4. The combination of claim 3 and wherein said sleeves are each formed with an elongated axially extending slot having a width around the axis of said sleeve which is less than 5. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said fixing means includes a fixing screw fixedly connecting each movable guide member with said body and a pair' of adjusting screws threaded through said body on each side of said fixing screw and having free ends pressing against said movable guide member so that said adjusting screws can be turned for aligning said body at the region of an end thereof with the movable guide member.

6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein a coiled compression spring and at least one washer surround each fixing screw and are situated between said body and movable guide member.

7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said body is formed with a recess intowhich said spring extends.

8. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said body carries at each of its ends a body stop member which is fixed to said body for movement therewith, and a pair of end stop members located in the path of movement of said body stop member which is fixed to said body for limiting the extent of movement of said body.

9. The combination of claim 8 and adjusting means operatively connected with at least one of said end stop members for adjusting the position thereof so as to control the extent of movement of said body.

10. The combination of claim 9 and wherein said adjusting means for said one end stop member includes an elongated bolt carrying said end stop member, said body stop member which is fixed to said body at each end thereof being formed with an opening through which said bolt freely extends and the other of said stop members being carried by said bolt at the side of said body stop member opposite from said one end stop member, a carrier bar fixed to said stationary guide member at each end of said body and carrying said bolt, and spring means operatively connected with said bar at each end of said body and also operatively connected with said body to move the latter together with said movable guide members, with respect to said stationary guide members and bars to a predetermined rest position where each body stop member engages one of the end stop members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 545,316 8/1895 Shimer 197-74 685,123 10/ 1901 Felbel. 1,112,851 10/1914 Sholes 197--74 1,446,338 2/ 1923 Ellis 197-74 XR 1,461,719 7/1923 Armstrong 19774 XR 1,918,106 7/1933 Joerissen 19774 XR 2,184,736 12/1939 Dobson 197-74 XR 3,071,233 1/ 1963 Chvatlinsky 197-74 3,228,511 1/1966' Meinherz 197-74 FOREIGN PATENTS 225,169 12/ 1912 Germany. 737,649 7/ 1943 Germany.

EDGAR S. BURR, Primary Examiner 

